Smooth cordgrass named &#39;LA11-102&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new variety of smooth cordgrass identified as ‘LA11-102’ is disclosed as being genetically different from ‘Vermilion’ and ‘LA11-101’ and as having rapid establishment and growth in natural brackish and saline marsh environments, and excellent seed set and germination.

The development of this invention was partially funded with Hatch ActFormula Funds (Project number LAB93864) and through grants from theUnited States Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food andAgriculture (Agreement numbers: 2010-34396-21191, 2009-34396-20051,2008-34396-19316, 2006-34396-17624, 2005-34396-16498). The Governmentmay have certain rights in this invention.

This invention pertains to a new and distinct variety of smoothcordgrass.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) is a perennial grassnative to intertidal saline marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf ofMexico coasts in the United States. It is used in numerous restorationprojects to decrease coastal erosion. In Louisiana, one smooth cordgrassvariety, ‘Vermilion’, is used extensively. The widespread use of asingle variety reduces genetic variation, thus reducing the ability toadapt to environmental changes. ‘LA11-102’, along with ‘LA11-101’ and‘LA11-103’ were invented to provide genetically diverse smooth cordgrassvarieties for northern Gulf of Mexico restoration projects.

Smooth cordgrass seeds were collected from one hundred twenty-six (126)smooth cordgrass populations throughout Louisiana in 1998. Preliminarywork, which preceded this invention, evaluated smooth cordgrass plantsurvival and vigor in natural marsh environments and freshwaterproduction ponds (Ryan, 2003.http://utils.louislibraries.org/cgi-bin/lz0050.x?sitecode=LALUelib?http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-1110103-133154/and Ryan et al., 2007. J. Aquat. Plant Manage. 45:90). In thepreliminary work, no efforts were made to asexually reproduce ‘LA11-102’for any purpose other than to provide plant material for plantperformance evaluations. The new smooth cordgrass varieties (‘LA11-101’,‘LA11-102’, ‘LA11-103’) were designated as varieties and reproducedasexually beginning in 2010. ‘LA11-102’ has a unique and stablegenotype, as determined by molecular marker profiles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION Genus and Species Name

‘LA11-102’ is a new smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.)variety that is genetically different from ‘Vermilion’ and two (2)additional new smooth cordgrass varieties, ‘LA11-101’ and ‘LA11-103’.Genetic diversity was determined using eleven (11) molecular markers.‘LA11-102’ is more vigorous one (1) month after transplant than‘Vermilion’ and produces more seeds that germinates than ‘Vermilion’.‘LA11-102’ is recommended for brackish and saline marsh restorationprojects in the northern Gulf of Mexico, especially Louisiana, wheregenetically different smooth cordgrass varieties that rapidly establishand produce viable seeds are desired.

Variety Denomination

This new and distinct cordgrass variety, identified as ‘LA11-102’, ischaracterized by its unique genetic profile, as determined by eleven(11) molecular markers, ability to recover quickly in naturalenvironments, and high viable seed yields.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘LA11-102’ was developed from seed collected from smooth cordgrassplants growing in a brackish marsh on Timbalier Island in TerrebonneParish La. (29° 3′ 55.37″ N.; 90° 28′ 43.90″ W.) in November of 1998.Collected seeds were germinated in a greenhouse at Baton Rouge, La. Thispopulation was selected in a phenotypic selection program because ofhigh seed germination rates, seedling survival, and seedling vigor. Thetwenty (20) most vigorous seedlings from this population were selectedin a second selection cycle and evaluated at Baton Rouge, La. In 1999‘LA11-102’, along with thirty-nine (39) additional genotypes, wasselected in a third selection cycle. To provide plant material forcontinued experimental evaluations, rhizomes and stems of ‘LA11-102’were harvested from the experimental plot at Baton Rouge and plantedinto containers in controlled greenhouses. This asexual reproduction wasused solely to multiply the experimental line for evaluation, and notfor the asexual reproduction of the variety.

‘LA11-102’ and thirty-nine (39) additional genotypes were evaluated inexperiments at Baton Rouge and Grand Terre, La., from 2000-2001.‘LA11-102’ and seven (7) genotypes were selected in the fourth selectioncycle. In 2002, rhizomes and stems of ‘LA11-102’ were harvested fromexperimental plots at Baton Rouge and planted into containers incontrolled greenhouses. This asexual reproduction was used solely toprovide material for continued experimental evaluations.

Experimental evaluations were continued from 2005-2009 at seven sites.In 2010, ‘LA11-102’ was identified as a superior cultivar and onehundred (100) single stems with rhizomes, which were verified usingmolecular markers to be genetically identical, were used to asexuallypropagate the variety ‘LA11-102’ in Plaquemines Parish, La. In 2011,rhizome and stem material were harvested and moved to Baton Rouge whereasexual reproduction of rhizomes and stems has continued.

Variation in plant appearance can be caused by production conditions anddoes not reflect genetic differences. ‘LA11-102’ is geneticallyidentical and stable when produced from rhizome material. ‘LA11-102’ canbe definitely identified from ‘Vermilion’ based upon fragment sizedifferences using eleven (11) molecular markers and from ‘LA11-101 attwo (2) molecular markers (Table 1).

TABLE 1 LA11-102 LA11-101 Vermilion Primer^(†) Fragment Size (bp) ESSR35190 190 180 ESSR58 420 400 400 ESSR64 310 310 300 ESSR66 145 145 140ESSR69 390 410 410 SPAR4 210 210 190 SPAR7 295 295 280 SPAR8 185 185 180SPAR11 285 285 275 SPAR27 190 190 200 SPAR5 265 265 260 ^(†)ESSRsequences (Baisakh et al., 2009. Aquat. Bot 91:262; SPAR sequences Blumet al., 2004. Mol. Ecol. Notes 4: 39).

Explanation of Tests Conducted

Preliminary Field Trials:

‘LA11-102’ was selected from a preliminary field trial in which fourhundred (400) plants were evaluated for performance in a freshwaterproduction pond, Baton Rouge, La., in February 2000. ‘LA11-102’ wasincluded in replicated trials from 2000 to 2009 in thirteen (13)environments to evaluate its performance and release potential.

Advanced Field Trials:

Advanced field trials were completed at freshwater ponds, Baton Rouge,La., and on a created marsh, Grand Terre, La., in 2001. The averageplant height, spread, rust rating (Puccinia sparganiodes), and plantvigor were calculated based upon measurements completed every two (2)weeks starting eight (8) months after transplant and ending twelve (12)months after transplant for Baton Rouge and from three (3) months tofive (5) months after transplant for Grand Terre. Plant height wasmeasured from the soil surface to the uppermost leaf tip of the plant.Plant spread was calculated by measuring the linear growth of each planton two (2) perpendicular axes. Rust rating was measured with a 0-10scale where 0 was no rust visible and 10 was rust covering allabove-ground portions of the plant. Plant vigor was measured with a 0-10scale where 0 was a dead plant and 10 was an extremely vigorous plant.

Elite Field Trials:

Elite field trials were completed on a created marsh at Grand Terre; onman-made marsh terraces, Cameron Parish, La., in 2003; and in freshwaterrice production fields, Rayne, La., in 2005 and 2006. Plant vigor wasmeasured at Grand Terre and Cameron Parish approximately six (6) monthsafter transplant. Plant vigor, rust rating, plant spread, plant height,and the total number of stems per plot were measured at Rayne in 2005and 2006, approximately five (5) months after transplant. Percent seedset and seed germination were also determined at Rayne in 2005. Percentseed set was determined on ten (10) randomly selected panicles harvestedthe first week of November. Each panicle was individually bagged with4.5cm×40 cm cellulose tubes to collect seeds that shattered prior toharvest in early December. The total number of florets and the number offlorets containing seeds (filled florets) were determined using afluorescent light box. Percent seed set was calculated as follows:[(number of filled seed/total number of florets)*100]. Percent seedgermination was determined with five (5) replicates of one hundred (100)seeds. Seeds were placed into Petri dishes containing a #4 filter paperand 8 ml of 0.05% 200 g/L carboxin and 200 g/L thiram solution. Petridishes were sealed with parafilm to minimize evaporation and placed inan incubator at 24-26° C. and 16/8 hr light/dark for six (6) weeks andpercent seed germination was calculated.

Supreme Field Trials:

Supreme field trials were evaluated at a man-made marsh terrace, CameronParish, La., in 2008; two (2) eroded marsh areas, Grand Chenier, La., in2008 and 2009; and two (2) freshwater rice production fields, Rayne, La.in 2008 and 2009. Plant vigor was measured at Cameron Parish one (1)month after transplant. Plant vigor and number of stems were measured atCameron Parish one (1) year after transplant. Plant vigor, rust rating,plant spread, plant height, and number of stems per plot were measuredapproximately six (6) months after transplant at Grand Chenier in 2008and 2009. Plant vigor, rust rating, plant spread, plant height, numberof stems, percent seed set, and percent seed germination were measuredat Rayne in 2008 and 2009, approximately six (6) months aftertransplant.

EXAMPLE 1 Advanced Field Trials

In advanced field trials, ‘LA11-102’ spread further than ‘Vermilion’ infreshwater production ponds at Baton Rouge and as far as ‘Vermilion’ ona created marsh on Grand Terre (Table 2). ‘LA11-102’ had a similar vigorrating and plant height as ‘Vermilion’ at both advanced field triallocations. It also had a higher rust rating than ‘Vermilion’ at BatonRouge, while a similar rust reaction as ‘Vermilion’ at Grand Terre(Table 2).

TABLE 2 Baton Rouge, LA Grand Terre Island, LA Variety Height^(†) (cm)Spread (m²) Rust^(‡) Vigor^(§) Height (cm) Spread (m²) Rust Vigor‘LA11-102’  86.0 a 2.9 a 4.3 b 7.8 a 94.0 a 1.2 a 3.2 a 5.7 a‘Vermilion’ 140.0 a 1.0 b 3.5 a 7.2 a 99.0 a 1.2 a 2.4 a 6.5 a ^(†)Meanswithin the same column that are followed by different letters aresignificantly different (t test, p < 0.05). ^(‡)Rust rating was visuallyestimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = no rust visible; 10 = rust coveringall above-ground portions of the plant). ^(§)Vigor was visuallyestimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = dead; 10 = excellent).

EXAMPLE 2 Elite Field Trials

In elite field trials, ‘LA11-102’ was as vigorous as ‘Vermilion’ atCameron Parish, Grand Terre, and Rayne in 2006 and less vigorous thanVermilion at Rayne in 2005. ‘LA11-102’ had similar rust reaction andplant spread as ‘Vermilion’ at Rayne in 2005 and 2006. It was shorterthan ‘Vermilion’ at Rayne in 2005 and taller than ‘Vermilion’ at Raynein 2006. ‘LA11-102’ also had higher seed set and seed germination andfewer stems per plot than ‘Vermilion’ in freshwater production ponds(Table 3).

TABLE 3 Number of Seed Set Seed Germination Variety Vigor^(†) Rust^(‡)Spread (m²) Height (cm) Stems (%) (%) Cameron Parish, 2003 ‘LA11-102’6.6 a — — — — — — ‘Vermilion’ 8.8 a — — — — — — Grand Terre, 2003‘LA11-102’ 5.6 a — — — — — — ‘Vermilion’ 7.8 a — — — — — — Rayne, 2005‘LA11-102’ 8.0 b 3.0 a 1.5 a 199.3 b  78.7 b 70.3 a 86.0 a ‘Vermilion’9.7 a 2.7 a 2.5 a 209.3 a 138.3 a 20.7 b 35.3 b Rayne, 2006 ‘LA11-102’7.7 a 3.0 a 2.2 a 238.0 b  74.3 b — — ‘Vermilion’ 9.0 a 2.3 a 2.6 a218.0 a 121.7 a — — ^(†)Vigor was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10(0 = dead; 10 = excellent); Means within the same column and locationfollowed by different letters are significantly different (t test, p <0.05). ^(‡)Rust rating was visually estimated on a scale of 0-10 (0 = norust visible; 10 = rust covering all above-ground portions of theplant).

EXAMPLE 3 Supreme Field Trials

In supreme field trials, ‘LA11-102’ was more vigorous than ‘Vermilion’one (1) month after transplant on man-made marsh terraces in CameronParish; however one (1) year after transplant ‘LA11-102’ was as vigorousas ‘Vermilion’ (Table 5). At the remaining supreme field trial sites,‘LA11-102’ had a similar vigor, rust reaction, plant spread, and hadapproximately an equal number of stems per plot as ‘Vermilion’.‘LA11-102’ was shorter than ‘Vermilion’ at both Grand Chenier sites andtaller than ‘Vermilion’ at both Rayne sites (Table 4). ‘LA11-102’ alsohad higher seed set and seed germination than ‘Vermilion’ at both Raynesites (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Number of Seed Set Seed Germination Variety Vigor^(†) Rust^(‡)Spread (m²) Height (cm) Stems (%) (%) Cameron Parish, 2008^(§)‘LA11-102’  6.0 a — — — — — — ‘Vermilion’  1.0 b — — — — — — CameronParish, 2009^(§) ‘LA11-102’  3.7 a — — —  11.0 a — — ‘Vermilion’  4.7 a— — —  16.0 a — — Grand Chenier, 2008 ‘LA11-102’  9.0 a 3.7 a 1.8 a103.0 b  73.3 a — — ‘Vermilion’ 10.0 a 1.3 a 2.6 a 164.0 a  92.7 a — —Grand Chenier, 2009 ‘LA11-102’  7.7 a 2.3 a 1.6a 112.0 b  67.0 a — —‘Vermilion’  9.3 a 1.0 a 2.5 a 153.0 a  92.3 a — — Rayne, 2008‘LA11-102’  7.3 a 2.7 a 1.3 a 218.0 a  75.0 a 71.3 a 77.7 a ‘Vermilion’ 8.7 a 2.7 a 2.6 a 209.0 b 102.7 a 27.3 b 38.0 b Rayne, 2009 ‘LA11-102’ 7.0 a — 0.9 a 227.0 a  73.7 a 64.0 a 78.3 a ‘Vermilion’  9.3 a — 1.8 a188.0 b 107.0 a 21.3 b 40.0 b ^(†)Vigor was visually estimated on ascale of 0-10 (0 = dead; 10 = excellent); Means within the same columnand location followed by different letters are significantly different(t test, p < 0.05). ^(‡)Rust rating was visually estimated on a scale of0-10 (0 = no rust visible; 10 = rust covering all above-ground portionsof the plant). ^(§)Cameron Parish was established in 2008 and evaluatedin 2008 one (1) month after transplant and in 2009 one (1) year aftertransplant.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Spartina alterniflora named‘LA11-102’ as described and illustrated in the specification herein.